On South Beach, where every night is New Years Eve (and/or Halloween for that matter), actually going to a party on the last night of the year seems like going to the Paris or Venetian hotels in Vegas in lieu of visiting the actual cities. Can we say overkill? Not to mention that the sticker price on most NYE events brings to mind the SNL Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers’ segment, REALLY???!!! “$300.00 for Lady Gaga, REALLY???!!.” “$300.00 for general admission, REALLY???!!” While we veterans still consider NYE to be amateur night, opting instead to cozy up with a couple of bottles of Dom and a few pounds of stone crabs (George Stone Crabs will even deliver them to your door: http://georgestonecrab.com/ 1 (800) 273-CRAB) and to celebrate on the 30^th or the 1^st, we will admit that New Year’s Eve will deliver a champagne-soaked, celeb-filled debauchery, as promised. So for those of you who insist that two months salary is worth spending on a night you won’t remember, here’s a rundown of some of the best the final night of 2009 has to offer.

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If the chorus of one of your favorite songs starts like this, “David Lee Roth lights the menorah, as do Kirk Douglas, James Caan and the late Dina Shore-ah”… then the 23rd Annual Matzo Ball is for you! The nation’s largest, Jewish singles party returns to Miami on December 24, 2009, at Cameo Nightclub on South Beach starting at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available online (www.matzoball.org) for $25 in advance and cash only at the door. VIP Tickets are also available for $150 and includes a three-course non-kosher nosh at SUSHISAMBA prior to the event.

Now through December 23, RA Sushi in South Miami is teaming up with the Toys for Tots Program by giving away one complimentary appetizer per table that donates a new and unwrapped toy (minimum donation value of $10.00). With a good deed checked off the list, it’s time for a well-deserved Christmas in Tokyo cocktail – RA’s seasonal Asian twist to the champagne cocktail.

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The Miami International Wine Fair returns for a larger, more mature, eighth edition.  Slated for September 26 and 27, 2009, more than 500 producers and 1,500 wines representing 20 countries will pour into 85,000 exhibitor-square-feet, therefore transforming the Miami Beach Convention Center into pure “wine country.” 

 U.S. wineries, including E. Beaver, Franmara and Miami Winery will join European producers such as Poggio Al Santino (Italy), Aragon Exterior (Spain) and Cote Du Rhone (France) to name a few.  In addition, the Fair is anticipating an increased presence from South America, of which Argentinean wineries will provide an enticing selection of Malbec – an increasingly popular varietal amongst Americans.   

 Open to the public, the Miami International Wine Fair will host a series of events, wine tastings and seminars designed with the greenest gulpers to the ripest connoisseurs in mind.  Florida is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most important wine markets and with U.S. consumption leading the global industry, the Fair has created its very own stimulus package with tickets priced at $75 per person. 

 Proceeds from admission fees benefit Educate Tomorrow, a Florida-based, non-profit organization that supports 16, 17, and 18 year olds who are aging out of the foster care system by matching them with mentors.  Educate Tomorrow’s mentors help its youth to enroll in college and training programs, find housing and jobs, as well as apply for educational and social assistance that may be available to them. 

For more information please visit www.miamiwinefair.com or call 1-866-887-WINE.